Benefits of Enclosed Vehicle Transport
March 9, 2023
Both enclosed and open transport services are available from the leading vehicle shipping firms. Enclosed transport is normally required only when shipping a high-value vehicle or a vehicle with low ground clearance. Because it is not exposed to the elements (or criminals) during shipping, an enclosed carrier can keep your car safer than an open carrier. However, at a cost of around $1,500, it is roughly 40% more expensive.
Enclosed transportation is used by just approximately 10% of clients. If you’re carrying a car with low ground clearance or one of the numerous specialty vehicles, the extra expense can be worth it:
Related Topic: The Best Moving Companies That Provides Trailer Rental
Enclosed transportation implies your car is transported in a completely enclosed trailer on a truck with only a few other vehicles. It’s the equivalent of traveling first class on a plane (but the coach exits first since your delivery time is slower).
Your car will be trapped between up to ten other vehicles on an open truck—a car carrier exposed to the elements on all sides. It’s similar to traveling in coach on a plane (but without the windows).
According to a review of over 700 quotes, enclosed transportation costs around $1,500. Enclosed transport is often roughly 40% more expensive than delivering your car on an open carrier.
Also, Read: How To Know if Car Shipping is a Scam
| Transport type | Average cost |
| Enclosed transport $1,500 | Open transport $1,080 |
An enclosed trailer protects the car from the elements and other vehicles. Instead of sharing open space with ten other cars, your vehicle is surrounded on all sides by walls and bunks with only a few others.
Enclosed trailers ensure that your vehicle arrives at its destination without a scratch, whether it’s a new house or a car show.
We’ve all driven beside lowriders, automobiles that are built to be as near to the earth as possible. When a carrier tries to drive a car onto an open transport trailer, it will bottom out like a car going over a decent-sized speed bump.
Nobody wants their car to be destroyed, especially if the truck hasn’t yet left the parking lot.
Special equipment on some enclosed car carriers allows cars with a clearance of four inches or less to be safely lifted onto the carrier. Check with your auto transporter to determine if they offer this service.
For low-clearance cars, enclosed trailers aren’t just the best option; they’re the only option.
If you want your specialty automobile (e.g., luxury cars, sports cars, or antique cars) to have extra security in transit or if your vehicle rides four inches or less above the ground, enclosed vehicle transport is a good option. Be aware that it can cost up to 40% more than public transportation.
Because open shipping is less expensive, the top vehicle shipping firms specialize in it. Furthermore, unlike specialty cars, which can cost as much as a house to restore if damaged in transit, the expense of cleaning off dirt or repairing damage is significantly lower than the normal, daily car, so the premium for enclosed transport isn’t worth it for most shipments.
You probably don’t require enclosed transportation if you buy your automobile from a standard dealership (Honda, Ford, Hyundai, etc.).
When it comes to car shipping services, everybody has the same basic problem in their minds. How much for a car to ship? Although quotes for transport cars will vary dramatically, there are a few ways to ensure that rates are as affordable as possible. It will still come with more competitive rates for newcomers to get their car driven on an open car carrier.
Savings, though, don’t have to stop there. Instead of door-to-door, you can also choose to get your car delivered terminal-to-terminal. Yeah, this means that when dropping off and picking up your car, you’ll have to arrange transportation from and to the airport.
However, this discomfort will translate into savings. Of course, with a terminal-to-terminal service, you must also consider the costs you may accrue. This includes expenses for storage, transportation costs, and charges for gas.
Related:
Is Your Car Safe During Auto Transport? Is Shipping a Car …
Things to Remember When Shipping a Car
However, this approach may be your most expedient and cheapest alternative if you live near a readily available terminal.
Car shipping service prices are unpredictable when it comes to transporting vehicles. The cost depends on a number of different factors, from the type and weight of the vehicle to the distance and company you go with. On average, however, for shorter distance travel, and as high as $1,500 for long hauls, you can expect around $500-$700. If it ends up being a little higher than that for a heavier truck, however, don’t be surprised.
Car shipping service rates rely on supply and demand as well. Right now, there are about 10,000 cars waiting to be shipped out of California. There are fewer truckers available to ship cars because of this.
If you choose an enclosed trailer for delivery, even if your vehicle is souped-up and modded, other variables that impact the shipping price include whether or not the car is in working condition.
Now that you have a better understanding of the different variables that go into the decision of a customer to have their car professionally delivered, you’re probably thinking about how much you need to budget. You have to know that the actual price you’re going to pay is dependent on several variables.
These considerations include:
BUILT AND MODEL
The most knowledgeable and customer-centric ones will have a shipping quote calculator when you visit a car shipper’s webpage. This calculator will give you an instant quote that is free and non-binding. Never pay for a quotation for delivery.
You’ll find that the Car shipping services calculator asks several different questions when you go through having a quote. Some of these have to do with the vehicle’s make and model.
Why are these variables significant? And they’re size-indicative. The longer and bigger a vehicle are, the more space a transporter takes up, and the more it would cost to drive.
Larger dimensions and changes to vehicles can also contribute to carrier adjustments.
TIME OF THE YEAR
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when it comes to seasonality. Next, for car transporters, summer happens to be the busiest time of year.
This is when the majority of individuals plan to travel. So, because of the extra demand, you can not get the best offers at this time of year.
While you would automatically believe that the cheapest time for car shipping is in winter, think twice. Ice and snow combine to make driving a large auto transporter a virtual disaster during the coldest months.
Prices and delivery times appear to go up as a result. What would be your safest bet? The higher your flexibility, the better the price you will get.
DISTANCE
For short distances car shipping services, the average cost of transporting a car is $1.96 per mile. Those that fall within a one to 500-mile range involve short distances.
So, spend at least $590 for a ride that’s about 300 miles long to cover costs and fees.
What about a longer ride? Moderate distances are considered for journeys of 500 to 1,000 miles. They run around $0.93 per mile, they come out, give or take, to $950 for 1,000 miles.
As far as long distances are concerned, you’ll pay around $0.58 per mile when you take trips of 1,500 miles or more. A journey of this length can cost you $870.
Like shopping in quantity at the supermarket, the farther you go, the better the rate per mile will be.
STATE OF VEHICLE
You’ll still need to accurately record your vehicle’s state. About why? And it’s far cheaper to ship cars that run than those who don’t.
To properly load a car onto a carrier trailer, the ability to steer, roll, and brake is crucial. If your car doesn’t have these features, then to shift it into position, the driver must rely on a winch or other equipment.
It is a time-consuming operation to deal with an inoperable car, and not one that a driver takes easily. A forklift is also required when loading. For this purpose, for vehicles that can roll, brake, and steer, many auto shippers only give quotes.
Drop-off and Pick-Up Location
You’ll want to keep in mind where the places for your pick up and drop off are located. It is because you’ll end up paying more the further the driver’s regular route.
Usually, metropolitan areas have plenty of available trucks and drivers. You will find more supply and some of the best prices since demand is high.
However, when it comes to rural areas, prices are climbing. Although an experienced and competent business should go to great lengths to secure you the best possible rate, expect to pay more in less trafficked areas no matter where you live.
The more you live off the main highway, the more you will have to end up paying.
TYPE OF TRANSPORT
We have already discussed it partially, but it is important to understand the choices available to you concerning the shipping of vehicles. By far, freight on an open carrier remains the most common and inexpensive alternative.
Open-Air carriers don’t protect vehicles from the weather or road grime, as the name suggests. They also do not shield cars from gravel and other debris from the pavement. But for passengers and ordinary drivers, they fit well.
After all, it is equivalent to a road trip to the misuse a vehicle would get on an open carrier. That said, what if you have a vehicle worthy of investment? You’ll need to pay more, in this case, to get an enclosed carrier.
Related Articles:
Is there a best way to if you want to ship your car by train, Amtrak is your only option. It’s quick and reasonably priced. However, there is a significant disadvantage: Amtrak only goes between two cities (Sanford, Florida, and Lorton, Virginia). You’ll need to get quotes from standard vehicle shipping companies if you want to send your car somewhere else.
We’ll discuss the rates for both your vehicle and passenger ticket for those few consumers traveling between Sanford, Florida, and Lorton, Virginia.
Related Topic: Is Your Car Safe During Auto Transport?
Train car shipping works pretty much as it sounds. You move your automobile from one site to another, but instead of paying a car shipping company to transfer it by truck, you load it onto a train and ride alongside it.
Yes, the passenger ticket is required. You won’t be able to send the car unless you also take the train.
Many auto transport companies claim to provide rail service, but in reality, they do not. There is only one firm that provides the service, and it is Amtrak, a railroad company.
In certain conditions, you can ship a car by train. The only way to send a car by rail is via Amtrak, which has a single route from Washington, DC to Sanford, Florida (or the reverse).
Despite the fact that rail cars transport automobiles, practically all railroad franchises in the United States cater solely to businesses (e.g., car dealerships). The only exception is Amtrak car transportation, which runs daily between two East Coast cities on a single route.
In certain conditions, you can ship a car by train. The only way to send a car by rail is via Amtrak, which has a single route from Washington, DC to Sanford, Florida (or the reverse).
Despite the fact that rail cars transport automobiles, practically all railroad franchises in the United States cater solely to businesses (e.g., car dealerships). The only exception is Amtrak car transportation, which runs daily between two East Coast cities on a single route.
The average total cost of shipping a car from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida on Amtrak’s auto train is $497. Prices vary depending on the class of your passenger ticket and whether or not you choose priority offloading. The least expensive passenger ticket is $89. Standard-size autos ship for $208, and the least expensive passenger ticket is $89.
For the purposes of Amtrak automobile shipping price, if your car, truck, van, or SUV hasn’t been altered from its original factory length, it counts as a standard-size vehicle.
Train vs Truck: Cost
| Amtrak (least expensive) | Amtrak (most expensive) | Average uShip |
| $297 | $761 | $825 |
What does that mean in terms of a regular auto carrier for the same 855-mile distance?
The average cost of shipping a car along the same path as the Amtrak auto train was $825, according to uShip.
This is $528 more expensive than the lowest train option and $64 more expensive than the most expensive rail option (which includes a comfy bed and priority offloading).
The uShip quote is average, which means you might be able to find cheaper transporters. Even so, you won’t be able to find a vehicle transporter that can beat Amtrak’s low-cost car transportation.
This is $528 more expensive than the lowest train option and $64 more expensive than the most expensive rail option (which includes a comfy bed and priority offloading).
The uShip quote is average, which means you might be able to find cheaper transporters. Even so, you won’t be able to find a vehicle transporter that can beat Amtrak’s low-cost car transportation.
Taking the Amtrak train instead of exporting your car by truck saves you time and money. The nonstop rail route from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, takes 17 hours and 29 minutes, which is nearly a week and a half faster than standard vehicle transportation.
Estimated Delivery Time
| Truck | Train | |
| Estimated total delivery time | <1 Day | 11 Days |
Keep in mind that Amtrak car shipment is only available in two places across the country. You can’t beat the speed—or the price—if you reside near one of Amtrak’s two rail car hubs.
However, if you live somewhere else, you won’t be able to ship your car by rail.
Report: What’s The Cheapest Way and How to Calculate Car Shipping
No. You must purchase a passenger ticket and ride on the same train as your automobile to be shipped on the Amtrak car shipping train.
The cost of a ticket varies depending on how much comfort you desire.
The coach class is the least comfortable, but it still beats driving all day (and some of the night). You also have to pay for gas to travel nearly 1,000 miles if you drive. As a result, taking the train is both more comfortable and less expensive than taking the bus.
If you want to splash out, premium tickets are available. However, if you can take an 18-hour ride in coach class, the lower-cost Amtrak tickets should suffice.
Companies develop instructional items to attract your attention because so many people are looking for information on how to send an automobile by rail or train. Unfortunately, some of them go too far and claim to be able to provide rail service.
There is one condition, however. Do you recall the train firms that only served commercial customers? They can’t fill all of their rail cars all of the time, so they open them up to regular auto carriers.
A regular auto transport business might technically take one of these jobs and use it to deliver your automobile.
In actuality, however, this does not occur. We were unable to locate any rail transit companies.
However, we learned enough to offer a recommendation. We recommend that you seek elsewhere if the auto shipping firm you’re looking into claims to offer rail shipping on its website.
How can you trust a company with your car if they aren’t upfront about the services they provide?
No. You must live near one of Amtrak’s two hubs in Lorton, VA, or Sanford, FL, to use its auto train service. Other railroad companies, such as CSX, Union Pacific, and Sante Fe, offer service primarily to commercial organizations like car dealerships, thus regular customers cannot ship with them by train.
Car shipping by freight truck, on the other hand, is available in most US cities (check with your auto transport company to see if it can service your specific route).
| Amtrak | Autotransporter | |
| # of states | 2 | 50 |
| # of cities | 2 | 15,000+ |
| # of companies | 1 | 2,000+ |
If you want to ship your car by train, Amtrak is your best (and only) option. For roughly $500, a train transport business will transfer your automobile 900 miles in less than one day. Amtrak, on the other hand, only serves two tiny cities: Sanford, Florida, and Lorton, Virginia. Unfortunately, this means that Amtrak is unable to assist the majority of car transport customers.
If you want to transport your automobile anywhere other than the two cities served by Amtrak, you’ll need to contact one of the best car shipping firms. Because of its low costs, years of experience, and great customer evaluations, we recommend Xfinity Moving Auto Transport.